#yourGC - Issue 2 - March 2015

#YOURGC

Issue 002 | March 2015 | www.gloscol.ac.uk

well done owen See page 10 Ambition

Chelsea Brasserie Launch

Responsibility

pg 5

Improvement

GC Awards Season!

Team work

pg 6

Communication

Young Voters Debates

Respect

pg 5

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION

WHAT’S ON

March 2015 | Issue 002

A word from Shelly McCatty

Upcoming dates for your calendar

02 Hello, I’m New! 03 New Dynamic for Estates Team 04 Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 05 Chelsea Brasserie Partnership Launch 06 GC Awards Season 07 Introducing Amey 08 Happy Birthday to our College Values 09 Meet the GC Crew 10 Getting to Know Sally Stephens

Principal’s Update This month’s highlights include: • Strategic direction • Ofsted themes • College Values Read it in full here.

Welcome to the March edition of #yourGC, the digital staff magazine that shares all of your good news, stories and pictures to keep you up-to-date with what’s happening at Gloucestershire College.

This month we shine a spotlight on National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from Monday 9 to Friday 13 March, and round up awards season, including everything from the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards to the Cotswold Life Engineering, Manufacturing and Innovation Awards.

Plus find out more about the latest addition to the Estates Team and the upcoming Young Voters Debates; see pictures from the launch of our vocational training partnership with Chelsea Bar and Brasserie; and read about the exciting projects our art and construction students have been involved with in the Forest of Dean.

Please get in touch with your news, stories and suggestions on social media, using the hashtag #yourGC, or email shelly.mccatty@gloscol.ac.uk.

VIDEO OF THE MONTH

GC The Movie Media, Music and Performing Arts

Like us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/gloucestershirecollege Follow us on Twitter: @gloscol View our videos online: www.youtube.com/gloscol1

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February 2015

Monday 9 to Friday 13 March

World Plumbing Day Competition Wednesday 11 March Gloucester Campus

National Science and Engineering Week Friday 13 to Sunday 22 March

If you have a picture or video you would like to share, please email shelly.mccatty@gloscol.ac.uk.

Young Voters Debates Tuesday 17 March, 12.30pm Cheltenham and Royal Forest of Dean campuses Thursday 19 March, 12.30pm Gloucester Campus

Murder Mystery Dinner Party Thursday 26 March Food Central Cheltenham Restaurant

Easter Break Monday 30 March to Friday 10 April

World Autism Awareness Day

Also this month, we introduce one of our employer partners, Amey, and hear the latest from our Chief Financial Officer Andy Bates and the Chair of the Board of Governors, Graham Ripley. Enjoy!

SOCIAL NETWORKS

See our latest photos: www.flickr.com/gloscol

National Apprenticeship Week

Thursday 2 April

HELLO, I’M NEW!

To welcome our new starters and introduce them to the GC family, here’s a quick-fire interview to read on your tea break. Say hello if you see them around campus!

Name?

Joy Kettyle Job title and department?

Vice Principal, Curriculum and Quality Previous job and company?

Assistant Principal, Performance and Standards, at Hereford College of Arts.

Describe yourself in five words.

Happy, determined, fair, demanding, optimistic.

First person you met at GC? Sandy Brind, who gave me a very warm welcome and made my office beautiful.

First priority in your role?

Put faces to names; see staff in their spaces to give sense of context; and align with analysis to inform priorities.

www.gloscol.ac.uk

JO BRINGS ‘WHOLE NEW DYNAMIC’ TO ESTATES TEAM Delightfully chatty and equally enthusiastic, Jo always wanted to work in maintenance, but her hearing impairment had made it hard for her to secure this type of employment. With support from Pluss, an organisation that helps people with disabilities or disadvantages, Jo undertook a six-month traineeship before applying for – and securing – the Estates Officer role at Gloucestershire College in October.

Jolene - our first female Estates Officer You may have seen her fixing things, setting up rooms and stock checking around Gloucester Campus, or she might even have helped you with a maintenance issue; Jo Green is one of the latest – and first female – addition to the GC Estates Team.

Jo said: “What I really like is that no two days are the same. It’s a fantastic team here too.

The staff has all been really welcoming and I felt accepted as soon as I walked in the door.

“Now I feel like I am a duck to water – it’s second nature to me now. This is what I have always wanted to do as my Uncle and Grandparents were both in the business.

I did a painting and decorating course at Gloucestershire College and a maintenance

Ambition

course at BCTV for six months. I love my job now and that’s a first.”

Estates Coordinator, Kim Freeman, says Jo has brought a lot of enthusiasm and willingness to the team, and aims to help develop her skills as she progresses.

“Jo brings a whole new dynamic to the Estates Team. She gets on very well with staff and students, which is important in the role, and is always willing to try something new by herself; only calling if she needs help. We plan to train her as a first aider too.

“She fills the role very well and is always so happy and upbeat, it makes the job easier for everyone.”

Next time you see Jo around campus, stop and say hello! Or get in touch with her at jolene.green@gloscol.ac.uk

COMENIUS PROJECT GETS SPADE IN THE GROUND Level 2 group, who are in the second year of their schools programme, have been actively involved in the Comenius project, SARAH (Science ARound us Along History), which promotes sciences and exchanges between nine partner schools across Europe.

Recently two of the students, 16-year-old Jack Robins from Drybrook and Stuart Burrows from Newnham, visited Turkey, where they were involved in STEM activities with students from Sweden, France, Austria, Romania, Spain, Italy, Poland and Turkey.

Jack and Stuart in Turkey Construction students from our Mitcheldean Campus have started building a human sundial at the Royal Forest of Dean Campus.

The Construction and the Built Environment

www.gloscol.ac.uk

The sundial, which has also been designed by the Construction students, will be constructed using locally sourced stone and gravel, donated by Breedon Quarries, as well as railway sleepers and locally sourced timber.

MONSTER SUCCESS FOR Team work ART AND DESIGN STUDENTS

Howlett, said: “This project has enabled our construction students to learn new techniques and further their maths skills, when designing and building the sundial. With the experience of visiting countries and meeting other young people from other cultures, the students are being exposed to the wider world, which is important to their personal development.”

The finished sundial will be unveiled in June, when we host all of the Comenius partner countries at our main campuses. A number of other College departments have also been involved in the Comenius project, including students from AS Mathematics, Environmental Science, Motor Vehicle and Construction.

For more information about the project email david.auker-howlett@gloscol.ac.uk.

Second year Art and Design Diploma students from our Royal Forest of Dean Campus recently worked with the RSPB at Nags Head Reserve, Parkend, to create a fun Monster Sculpture Trail as part of their Public Sculpture unit.

The six giant monsters, including Goobert the slug, Arbor the sloth and the Sock Schnobbler, are sited along the short trail, starting at the Visitor’s Centre, and are all made from recycled materials that don’t harm the protected surroundings, including shower curtains and scraps of old leather jackets. In fact, the Sock Schnobbler is made out of socks donated by our very own staff and students!

Course Leader for Arts, Katie Mullinger, said: “This project was very ambitious in scale and expectations, yet the students built imaginative and durable sculptures that brought enjoyment to many over the winter months, weathering snow and wind. I wanted my students to realise that it was possible to work successfully with local organisations and get their work noticed by the public and the press. I wanted them to learn that they are skilled and capable of achieving much more than they would think possible!”

This is the second year our students have produced sculptures for a trail at the reserve, and they achieved very good grades for their efforts this year. Next time you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the reserve to follow the trail… if you dare!

Construction Lecturer, David Auker-

February 2015

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NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK Follow the hashtag #NAW2015 National Apprenticeship Week 2015 is just around the corner and here at Gloucestershire College, we have lots planned to celebrate and support apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on apprentices, local businesses and the wider community.

Taking place from Monday 9 to Friday 13 March, National Apprenticeship Week is coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and brings together schools, colleges, employers, apprentices and training providers from across the country, through a series of events and activities showcasing the benefits and achievements of apprenticeships.

There has never been a better time to employ an apprentice. Hiring apprentices helps businesses grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce, while apprentices themselves are able to earn as they learn.

The dedicated GC Business Hub, headed up by Julie Tegg and Debbie Jackson, helps apprentices find the right course, and businesses the right apprentice. For more information call them on (01452) 563400.

What’s the aim?

This year there are four main aims of National Apprenticeship Week: to increase awareness and take up of apprenticeships in the UK; promote small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) apprentices; ‘myth-bust’ and address misconceptions about apprenticeships; and celebrate apprenticeships, in particular, higher apprenticeships – focusing on their positive economic impact.

What’s happening at GC? We’re going all out at Gloucestershire College and celebrating National Apprenticeship week across not one, but two weeks! There’s a series of events, a social media takeover and plenty of visual promotions scheduled.

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February 2015

Events We joined forces with the Skills Funding Agency, GWP, GFirst LEP and The Growth Hub to host a successful apprenticeshipthemed Business Breakfast on Friday 27 February. Richard Graham MP was the keynote speaker and local employers had an opportunity to learn about apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships and the government’s apprenticeship reform programme.

Food Central Cheltenham played host to the launch of the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards on Monday 2 March, when sponsors, local employers and previous award winners united to celebrate another exciting year of apprenticeships in Gloucestershire.

On Thursday 5 March, we attended the launch of the Cotswold Life’s inaugural Engineering, Manufacturing and Innovation Awards as the proud sponsor of the Apprentice of the Year prize. This is a special award that celebrates an apprentice’s outstanding contribution to their workplace and progress in their skills development and studies.

We will be hosting Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood at GE Aviation on Tuesday 10 March, for a scheduled media tour of one of the College’s biggest apprenticeship supporters.

Before the Advice and Guidance Team delivers an exciting talk at Balcarras School on Wednesday 11 March, and the College hosts Gloucestershire Media’s Get Connected event on Tuesday 24 March, which will promote our Higher Engineering Apprenticeships to local employers.

information; daily apprenticeship case studies; and details of our new Higher Apprenticeship programmes.

We will also be asking employer partners to tweet us pictures of their apprentices in action; promoting our awards sponsorship and the AGE grant; and launching the new GC Apprentices board on Pinterest.

Please follow the official GC social media pages and remember to like and share content with your friends!

What else is going on?

Keep your eyes peeled for postcards promoting the College’s live apprenticeship vacancies; the all-new and refreshed apprenticeship factsheets; and posters and plasma promos around campus, all celebrating National Apprenticeship Week.

How you can get involved – send a selfie!

The National Apprenticeship Service has launched a ‘selfie’ map on Pinterest to show the variety of apprenticeships available across the country.

If you work with apprentices at Gloucestershire College, please encourage them to send a selfie taken at their workplace to shelly.mccatty@gloscol.ac.uk, along with their full name, age, apprentice level, the name of their workplace, their job title and why they love working there.

These will be posted on the Gloucestershire College Pinterest page and also submitted to the National Apprenticeship Service to literally put GC on the ‘selfie’ map!

Social Media Takeover Keep an eye on Gloucestershire College’s Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest profiles during National Apprenticeship Week for event pictures; apprenticeship stats and

www.gloscol.ac.uk

GC TEAMS UP WITH CHELSEA BRASSERIE

Improvement

YOUNG VOTERS DEBATES Students to grill parliamentary candidates in Young Voters Debates On Tuesday 17 March, Cheltenham Campus will welcome six political candidates: Paul Gilbert (Labour), Martin Horwood (Lib Dem), Alex Chalk (Conservative), Adam van Coevorden (Green Party), Christina Simmonds (UKIP) and Richard Lupson-Darnell (Independent).

Simultaneously, the Royal Forest of Dean Campus will welcome four political party candidates: Steve Parry-Heam (Labour), Mark Harper (Conservative), James Greenwood (Green Party) and Steve Stanbury (UKIP).

In February our Catering and Hospitality School launched a new vocational training partnership with Cheltenham restaurant, Chelsea Bar and Brasserie, to provide full-time students with valuable work experience.

Up to six students at any one time will have the chance to work in the kitchen and contemporary restaurant; getting maximum exposure to a real working environment and both the successes and challenges those in industry celebrate and overcome on a daily basis.

This month, we will be hosting three Young Voters Debates at our main campuses in Cheltenham, the Forest of Dean and Gloucester, in conjunction with the Gloucestershire Echo and Gloucester Citizen.

In 2014 it was reported that more than 800,000 young people were missing from the electoral register, and with the 2015 general election fast approaching, now’s the perfect time to engage and get our young people involved.

Then on Thursday 19 March, Gloucester Campus will welcome five political party candidates: Sophy Gardener (Labour), Jeremy Hilton (Lib Dem), Richard Graham (Conservative), Jonathan Ingleby (Green Party) and Richard Ford (UKIP).

Michelle Cant, Head of Communications, said: “Young people often feel left out of political discussions, but as the country’s future workforce and leaders, it is essential that they are given the opportunity to meet and question the local candidates in each area about the topics that are important to them.”

Gareth Crwys-Williams, Head of School for Catering and Hospitality, said: “This collaboration will enable our students to hone their cooking and service skills in a commercial environment, whilst showcasing their talents to the public and other local employers.

In each Question Time-style event, students will ask the local candidates the questions that really matter to them and their communities, which will be submitted in advance.

“Working with and supporting local businesses is something we value highly at Gloucestershire College and it’s great to be teaming up with the Brasserie Group, which has changed the face of Cheltenham’s restaurant and bar scene, with an ever-growing portfolio of popular venues.”

SITE CLOSURES AND CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS

CEO of the Brasserie Group, Abdul Mannan, said: “This joint venture with Gloucestershire College is very exciting for myself and the staff at Chelsea Bar and Brasserie. We are all looking forward to working together and delivering our expertise to the students.”

As a result of the partnership, the Brasserie Group has kindly agreed to offer staff and students a number of VIP Cards, for the discounted rate of £5, which will be donated to charity. Benefits of the card include discount on food and drinks at 20 bars, restaurants, shops and hairdressers across Cheltenham.

Keep an eye out for details of how to get your hands on one in future issues of #yourGC and click here to see pictures from the launch party.

You may have seen that we’ve announced the planned changes to our Construction and Building Services provisions, and Cheltenham and Royal Forest of Dean campuses, in the local media.

In order to continue to be a viable and sustainable organisation, we will be closing our satellite sites at Kingsditch Industrial Estate and the Vantage Point Business Village in Mitcheldean and relocating our Construction and Building Services, and Motor Vehicle provisions.

In Cheltenham, Brickwork, Painting and Decorating, and Plastering courses will be taught in new purpose-built workshops on the main Cheltenham Campus from September, while all other Construction and Building Services courses previously available at Kingsditch, including Motor Vehicle, will only be available from Gloucester Campus.

In the Forest, Brickwork, Carpentry, Electrical Installation and Plumbing courses will be taught in new purpose-built workshops on the main Royal Forest of Dean Campus.

www.gloscol.ac.uk

Please make your students aware of the upcoming events, discuss local politics in your lessons and encourage them to submit their questions to sarah.young@gloscol.ac.uk. Staff questions are very welcome too!

Communication

Not only will current and future students benefit from more inclusive learning environments, but the money saved from the closure of these sites will be used in part to fund a number of improvements on both campuses.

See the latest Principal’s Update for full details of departmental moves.

Among the many improvements, Cheltenham’s Sixth Form space will be revamped and there will also be new classrooms created. While in the Forest, there will be four new art studios, English and maths zones, and new professional catering equipment installed, as well as enhancements to social spaces. Work will begin in Easter and be complete in time for the new academic year.

For more information about the changes to Cheltenham Campus contact Andy.Bates@gloscol.ac.uk, or contact Sandra.Tyrrell@gloscol.ac.uk for details of the changes in the Forest.

February 2015

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GC AWARDS SEASON! Find out about the awards Gloucestershire College is supporting in 2015 and how you can get involved.

We’ve already had the BRITs, BAFTAs, Grammys and Golden Globes this year but Awards Season is just beginning at Gloucestershire College!

Throughout the year we sponsor and support several high profile awards as a way to raise the College’s profile, champion outstanding student success, develop our relationships with local businesses and, of course, showcase our fantastic facilities to employers and the wider community.

Here you’ll find everything you need to know about some of the awards Gloucestershire College is involved in this year, as well as how you can get involved and vote. If you have any other awards to add, please let us know!

Pride of the Forest Awards The Pride of the Forest Awards are organised by Forest of Dean District Council to acknowledge the achievements of the unsung heroes in the community, who give their own time to help others.

It enables us to say ’thank you’ to those who rarely get the recognition they deserve and for the College to show its support for the flourishing Forest community.

Among the eight categories available, Gloucestershire College is sponsoring the Young Community Star prize, which is for a young person who has made a significant contribution to their community, whether that be through volunteering, caring or fundraising.

Nominations for this award closed on Wednesday 4 March but keep an eye out for the results when they are announced at the ceremony on Friday 20 March.

Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards Organised by the Gloucestershire Echo and Gloucester Citizen, and now in their fourth year, the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards recognise both the businesses that help drive apprenticeship schemes in the county, as well as the apprentices themselves.

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February 2015

Gloucestershire College is a headline sponsor of these awards and specifically sponsoring the Gloucestershire Apprentice of the Year, who will be selected from the six other Apprentice of the Year categories: Health, Education and Care; Public Sector; Construction; Engineering and Manufacturing; Financial and Business Services; and Service Industries.

The closing date for nominations is Friday 1 May, with the awards ceremony to follow on Thursday 2 July. Vote for your outstanding apprentice now and keep an eye out for the results!

The Forester Business Awards Celebrating a sixth successful year, The Forester Business Awards shine a spotlight on individuals, organisations and businesses in the Forest of Dean, which are not only outstanding in their field but also make a positive contribution to the community.

Out of the 14 categories available, Gloucestershire College is the proud sponsor of the Employer of the Year prize. We work closely with many local businesses to offer apprenticeships and employee training, while our dedicated Business Hub focuses exclusively on bringing the right skills, people and employers together, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that one of our employer partners takes this award home!

The closing date for nominations is Friday 20 March, with the awards ceremony to follow on Thursday 23 April. Vote for your Business of the Year now and keep an eye out for the results!

Cotswold Life EMI Awards Cotswold Life Business and Professional magazine has launched the inaugural Engineering, Manufacturing and Innovation Awards this year to champion and showcase the region’s growing manufacturing sector.

As we have such a fantastic Engineering offer at Gloucestershire College, we simply had to get involved in these exciting awards and are sponsoring the Apprentice of the Year category.

This celebrates the outstanding contribution of an apprentice working in the design, assembly, manufacturing or engineering sector, alongside exceptional progress in their skills development and studies.

The closing date for nominations is Monday 25 May, with the awards ceremony to follow on Thursday 17 September. Vote for your EMI Apprentice of the Year now and we’ll keep you posted on the results later in the year!

Gloucestershire Business Awards While they haven’t officially launched just yet, we can confirm that that we will be sponsoring the first Growth Business of the Year category in this year’s Gloucestershire Business Awards, organised by Gloucestershire Media.

Inspired by the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100, this award will celebrate the success and growth of a local business, based on their increased staff number and turnover growth. The awards officially launch on Tuesday 31 March, when we will be able to provide more information and details of how you can vote.

VQ Awards While Gloucestershire College isn’t involved in sponsorship, each year we nominate a member of staff for the Teacher of the Year and a student for the Learner of the Year prize in the VQ Awards, which celebrate the students, teachers and employers who take, support and promote vocational qualifications.

In 2013 one of our students won the Learner of the Year Award and we’d love to replicate this success in either category!

If you would like to nominate a member of staff or a student for these awards, please email shelly.mccatty@gloscol.ac.uk for more information.

The deadline for nominations is Friday 1 May, with the awards due to take place on Wednesday 10 June.

www.gloscol.ac.uk

INTRODUCING...

AMEY

STARTERS AND LEAVERS Ruth Kinsella is an Account Director at Amey, one of the largest companies working for the public and regulated sectors in the UK, aiming to create better places for people to live, work and travel.

Ruth, tell us about your relationship with Gloucestershire College.

We have worked with the College since 2014 and employ apprentices training on a number of different courses, including Civil Engineering, Business Studies and Design. We are also supporting six disadvantaged young people with work experience, which includes an intensive four-week course at the College – this programme will enable them to apply for apprenticeships in the future.

Gloucestershire College understands our particular requirements and has specifically tailored a Civil Engineering course structured around the development needs of our highways apprentices.

Who have you worked with at the College?

I have mostly worked with Business Consultant Amy Harris. Working with Amy has been invaluable for us – she has guided us through College requirements, assisted with presentations and interviews for our apprentices, and given us consistent guidance and regular reporting on their progress.

Only £12.50 per entrant.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COLLEGE STAFF DRAGONBOAT REGATTA TEAM

Here we welcome our new colleagues to the GC family and wish our former colleagues well for the future! Be part of the

GC Staff Welcome: Dragonboat Joy Kettyle, our new Vice Principal for Curriculum and Quality Vicki Penny, our new Mathematics Teacher Regatta Team.

Olivia Short, our new HR Assistant Claire Spink, our new English Functional Skills Only Trainer £12.50 per Caroline Wilson, our new ICT Functional Skills Trainer entrant.

Best of luck to: Represent GC and Susan Brown, our former Assessor raise money for Georgina Gwilliam, our former Beauty TherapyCLIC Lecturer Sargent.

Toni McIlwraith, our former Head of School for Health and Social Care Sunday 10th 13th May, Jodie Rees, our former Personal Tutor Gloucester Docks

Sunday 10th 13th May, Represent GC and raise money for Gloucester Docks CLIC Sargent.

Contact Will Merivale Sunday 13 May, Gloucester Docks for more details.

Only £12.50 per entrant.

Contact Will Merivale for more details on x3464.

We’re on the lookout for quality staff who enforce the College values – pass these on to your networks.

How does Amey improve our students’ learning and experience?

Amey has always focused on investing in our employees and supporting young talent.

Academic qualifications are always highly regarded but hands-on skills are equally important, so our apprenticeship scheme and the work we do with disadvantaged young people aims to provide a balance between college and the real world of work.

The purpose of this role will be to assist in the further development of our Professional Studies courses and give students a well-qualified edge before entering the management field.

www.gloscol.ac.uk

CLIC Sargent.

WE’RE HIRING - JOBS AT GC Lecturer in Leadership and Management We are recruiting a part-time Lecturer in Leadership and Management to join the Business Department.

If you could go back to college, what would you study?

If I had a magic wand and could turn back time, I would study to become a Wildlife Cameraman, travelling the world, capturing all forms of wildlife – a complete contrast to the job I am doing, but one that I really would relish for the absolute freedom the job brings and the pleasure it gives to others!

Be part of the Gloucestershire College Staff Dragonboat Regatta Team.

Contact Will Merivale for more details.

Everyone at the College has been incredibly helpful and professional, and it is a pleasure working with them on a number of different projects we currently have under way.

All of our apprentices complete their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Business Award, as part of their programme, to encourage teamwork and self-reliance by forming a community of apprentices that shares experiences and builds professional relationships. Part of this includes working in the community or with charities – a core value for us at Amey.

GC STAFF DRAGONBOAT GC and REGATTA TEAMRepresent raise money for

Those interested in applying for this role will need senior management experience, specialist knowledge relevant to the teaching context, and be qualified to Chartered MCIPD status or willing to complete.

If you are ambitious and committed towards benefiting our students, then this could be an exciting opportunity for you.

More…

Heating Engineer Gloucestershire Facilities Management (GFM) is recruiting a Heating Engineer to join the Facilities team at Gloucestershire College, on a 12-month fixed term contract.

If you hold a Level 3 industrial qualification, or equivalent, then this role is for you!

You will also need to be able to demonstrate a good understanding of Health and Safety, related to industrial plant, and will have experience in installing and maintaining HVAC in a commercial or industrial building services environment, establishing PPM for plant and identifying critical equipment/ parts for stock holding. More…

Electrician Gloucestershire Facilities Management (GFM) is recruiting an Electrician to join the Facilities team on a 12-month fixed term contract.

The ideal candidate will hold a 17th Edition Electrical C&G certificate and have experience of working within a building service environment.

This is a varied role as you will provide electrical support to all of the GC sites and you will need to be able to travel regularly and demonstrate flexibility. More…

February 2015

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

IN THE NEWS

YOUR MONTHLY FUNDRAISING FIX

Happy Birthday to our College Values!

World Plumbing Day comes to GC

From fundraiser extraordinaire, Natalie Whistance

We’re joining in the global celebrations for World Plumbing Day on Wednesday 11 March and hosting an exciting competition for our full-time Plumbing students at Gloucester Campus.

Here are some other projects that I have been working on over the last 12 months; in addition to the commercial activities I introduced you to last month.

“It’s been a year since our College Values were introduced in the presentations delivered by Matthew Burgess and to celebrate this milestone, I wanted to look back and share all of the progress that has been made in bringing our values to life.

“One of the first changes to be made was with new vacancies. All new job descriptions now contain the College Values and ensure that anyone looking to work with us is aware of the expectations we have, and what they can expect from us.

“During the interview process, new candidates are asked questions around our values, helping us to ensure we recruit new staff not only with the right skills but also with the energy and enthusiasm to work alongside existing staff; helping to further enhance and support our student experience.

Five regional colleges, including Gloucestershire College, are inviting local employers and suppliers to watch as 10 students compete in a plumbing competition, to be in with a chance of winning a big prize donated by the Skills Funding Agency. They will also have the opportunity to meet apprentices, see our excellent facilities and discuss the benefits apprenticeships can bring to their business.

World Plumbing Day takes place each year to celebrate the important role plumbing plays in the health and safety of modern society.

Follow @WPlumbingDay on Twitter for the latest.

“Another huge change has been in inductions. On their very first day, new employees receive a presentation which highlights the benefits of our values and how they can personally support them and help embed them throughout the College.

“Our values affect each and every one of us and really can make a difference to the way that we think and work as one big team.

We have made good progress but there is still a long way to go with further promotion aimed at increasing their profile and helping everyone to recognise the benefits that our values can bring.

“The values can be found on SharePoint and we’d like to encourage everyone to check them out and refresh themselves with what they’re all about. We’d also love you to share your views and ideas with us, so that we can all really start to live and breathe them, and make them a part of our everyday lives.”

You can share your views by emailing training.development@gloscol.ac.uk Martyn Roberts, Head of Learning and Development

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February 2015

The Weekend Club Saturday 7 March sees the first instalment of ‘The Weekend Club’ take to Food Central Cheltenham.

This new series of lifestyle courses will run on the first Saturday of every month. The cost is £75 per person and includes coffee, pastry and a lunch pack. A discount for GC staff is available.

Natalie Whistance Fundraising Manager, x3218

COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL LATEST

“New starters are encouraged to chat about the values and share their views on how they feel they can work with them. The great news is that new starters are already noticing the benefits, and are actively making decisions to come and work with us based on our values.

“We are also working with individual departments to introduce the values through a training programme called Defining the Future. This programme encourages teams to look at the values in more detail and create their own team charters aimed at bringing the values to life at a more local level. If you haven’t been involved so far, watch this space, as we’ll be visiting your team very soon!

Reuse Recycle Project In early 2014, a small task force came together to look at equipment, furniture and technology that could be recycled, reused or sold in order to make space and to bring in revenue. Led by myself and Dave McCormick from Computing, we have collected all sorts of weird and wonderful items that we have reused, recycled or sold. Furniture has been repurposed into other departments and the rest we have

sold on our GC EBay account.

Our current lot is a substantial amount of surplus beauty and hair equipment from RFD Campus. The total raised to date through the Reuse Recycle project is £2,000.

A still from the GC The Movie - Construction and Building Services

‘HOW TO’ QUICK

SEARCH

When using the internet browser Google Chrome, you can quickly search a word or phrase in Google at the click of a button.

1. Highlight the word or phrase you wish to search.

2. Right click the highlighted text and select ‘Google search’ from the dropdown menu.

3. This will open up a new tab displaying your Google results.

Easy!

GC The Movie GC The Movie has been a hit at the box office, with 10,000 views since their launch at the beginning of February. If you haven’t seen them yet, please visit www.gloscol. ac.uk/gcthemovie – please do share these online with your own networks using the #GCthemovie hashtag to let everybody see for themselves how fantastic studying at Gloucestershire College is!

National Apprenticeship Week 2015 Apprenticeships will be taking over the College social media feeds throughout #NAW2015.

Visit our Facebook and Twitter pages throughout the week to read apprenticeship success stories, good news stories and interesting facts and stats about our programmes.

We’ll also be launching a series

of NEW Higher Apprenticeship frameworks starting at the College this September. Find out more next week at www.gloscol.ac.uk/news Planning - Course guides 15/16 We have started to plan for next year’s full-time, higher education, sixth form and part-time course guides and would love your input.

If you have anything you’d like to share with us, please get in touch with naomi.collins@gloscol.ac.uk.

Social media Our externally facing social media activity will become increasingly important as we move into the summer, a key recruitment period for the College. If you don’t already, please join our 5,147 fans on Facebook and 5,183 followers on Twitter.

Michelle Cant, Head of Communications, x3216 www.gloscol.ac.uk

MEET THE TEAM

SPORTS FIXTURES

A WORD FROM EXEC

This month we meet the GC Crew!

There’s plenty going on in the world of GC sport this month…

Read the latest from our Chief Financial Officer, Andy Bates.

Wednesday 11 March • Cirencester College v GC Football, 2pm • Hereford Sixth Form v GC Netball, 2pm

“Recently, I have been working extensively on moving the current offerings at Kingsditch and Mitcheldean over to Cheltenham and the Royal Forest of Dean campuses. Remodelling work in Cheltenham is due to start this Easter and is still on target to be completed by the end of August. There is also remodelling work due to take place from Easter at Five Acres, with new a studio being built in the old Beauty Therapy space.

Wednesday 18 March • GC Football v Dudley College, 2pm • Hereford and Ludlow College v GC Netball, 2pm • GC Blazers v Newcastle-under-Lyme College, 2pm

(L-R) Mikey, Aimee, Emma, Sophie, Lauren and Ryan GC Crew is a team set up to develop work-related skills of our students and comprises Emma Neath (Manager), Aimee Brown (Administrator), Ryan Martin (Coach), Sophie Bowkett (Coach), Mikey Stevens (Coach) and Lauren Greening (Coach).

The team is leading the field in terms of skills development of students in further education. When Emma was recruited as Head of GC Crew back in March 2013, the challenged she faced was to develop a team to integrate Work Related Activity into programmes of study for 16 to 18 year olds.

To make the programme sustainable the GC Crew Coaches developed a scheme which focused on four distinct stages: 1. Think It – why work-related skills are important.

2. Feel It – to feel that doing additional projects and activities is worth it and to be passionate about personal development.

3. Want It – to have the fire and desire to want to engage.

4. Do It – having the legs to go and do it, and do it well.

The team focused on student understanding, as well developing behaviours and capabilities needed to be successful in the workplace.

Their vision is to translate these skills in practice when working with employers.

To date students have completed more than 100 projects with business and community groups, benefitting from their mentoring, expertise and experience.

This year, the GC Crew is focusing on developing an Internship scheme for Level 3 students through the interactive Video CV gallery online.

They also want to ensure every GC Crew group gets experience with an external partner or organisation or individual, and enhance character education schemes to continue leading the field in student development nationally.

Contact Emma and the team by calling 01452 563380 or email emma.neath@gloscol.ac.uk. www.gloscol.ac.uk

Wednesday 25 March • John Masefield v GC Netball, 2pm • Telford College of Arts and Technology v GC Blazers, 2pm • Birmingham Metropolitan College v GC Football, 2pm Keep up-to-date with the latest sporting and score updates on Twitter.

Responsibility

“Work continues to take place on refining the budgets due to further funding cuts and I am currently investigating how we mitigate risks.

I am also still heavily involved in the learning companies and partnerships with the Francesco Group (Graduations at No.9), the GC Gym and Chelsea Bar and Brasserie. The Chelsea Bar and Brasserie had a spectacular launch on Wednesday 11 February and we are looking forward to progressing this catering opportunity for our hospitality students to give them real work life experience.”

NEWS FROM THE GOVERNORS Graham Ripley – Chair of the Board of Governors “With executive experience of financial services, I was invited to join the Gloucestershire College Board in 2003 and it gave me the opportunity for me to put something back into the community. Being dedicated to helping equip our students to achieve a worthwhile occupation, I was proud to be elected Chair in April 2010.

“As a sector funded by the taxation, the College is not immune from its share of severe budget cuts. Our challenge and focus as a Board therefore is to sharpen our operational structures and business processes to be as “lean” as possible, to ensure that financial resources ensure our learners continue to have the best possible opportunities and progression outcomes.

“As Chair it is my responsibility to represent the views of the governing body and ensure that it works as a team in setting and steering the strategic and financial direction of the College.”

#yourGC is designed, published and distributed by the GC Marketing Department: Gloucestershire College, Cheltenham Campus, Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7SJ. Email: marketing@gloscol.ac.uk Telephone: 01452 563215 Any comments should be directed to Shelly McCatty in writing or by email to the above address. © 2015 All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without the written permission of Gloucestershire College.

February 2015

9

GETTING TO KNOW SALLY STEPHENS

MINI POLL

This month we speak to one of our Student Advisors, Sally Stephens.

Which colleague or department do you work particularly well with?

I have built up very good relationships with numerous members of staff throughout the College but if I had to choose someone, it would most definitely be Sylvie Johns. Sylvie is always on hand to help deal with any queries we have in Student Services and is just pretty fab!

What have you introduced in your role that you’re particularly proud of?

I have recently been appointed as Team Leader for five new Admission and Support staff, therefore I will be training them on our Admissions process and improving the overall timescale of this. Hopefully, I will be very proud of this in months to come!

Do you have any hidden talents?

No hidden talents at all… I can’t even swim!

How long have you been working at Gloucestershire College and how would you describe what you do?

I have been working at Gloucestershire College since December 2013, so roughly a year and four months and counting…! I work within Student Services as a Student Advisor and therefore advise potential students on everything from course information to funding.

What hidden gem would you recommend in Gloucestershire?

I love a good curry, so would have to recommend the Polash in Abbeymead, Gloucester.

Describe your perfect Saturday night or Sunday afternoon.

A perfect Sunday afternoon for me is spent on the sofa watching football. I’m a big Liverpool fan… even though sometimes I don’t like to admit it!

What did you do before joining the GC family?

Before joining the GC family I worked for a local education recruitment agency as an apprentice Business Administrator.

What’s your favourite film and why?

It has to be Despicable Me, 1 and 2. There’s something about those little minions I just love.

What’s your favourite part of your job?

I enjoy taking part in the Open Evenings and providing a front line service. I also really enjoy the interaction with the students. No two days are the same here in Student Services.

What can’t you go a day without?

Twitter – Mr Robbie Savage himself follows me!

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I actually wanted to become a professional football player.

If you could come back to college, what would you study and why?

My first choice would be Sport; however I did complete this course back when I studied between 2007 and 2009. Therefore my second choice would be Hairdressing – I would love to learn how to do fancy put ups!

How do you switch off?

With a nice cup of tea and Eastenders – Bobby Beale, who would have guessed?

Is your desk super organised or an organised mess?

Super organised. I couldn’t bear a messy desk! #yourGC Feedback We’d love to hear what you think of the first issue of #yourGC. Please email shelly.mccatty@gloscol. ac.uk your thoughts and suggestions or get in touch on social media using the hashtag #yourGC

Get in touch with Sally be calling 01452 563233 or email sally.stephens@gloscol.ac.uk.

10

February 2015

Last month we asked if you were planning to vote in the upcoming General Elections. We were surprised at the results: the majority of you said ‘No’. We would encourage all staff to vote in the upcoming elections. After all, every vote counts!

Recently there has been a rise in the number of stories relating to parents being fined for taking their children on holiday during term time, without permission from the school, to avoid paying peak prices.

So this month we ask you: should parents be allowed to take their children on holiday during term time?

No, not under any circumstance.

Yes, parents should have total freedom on this.

Yes, but only for a set number of days, booked well in advance and not during a crucial time.

Yes, but only for infant and primary school-aged children.

Yes, but only for parents with lower earnings.

STAFF CELEBRATIONS

Respect

Celebrating our colleagues’ big occasions and achievements 1. Owen Thomas, our Helpdesk and Booking Clerk, raised an impressive £160 for Mind through his 100-mile cycle at GC Gym. Well done Owen!

2. Congratulations to Steve Weldon, our Advice and Guidance Manager, for passing his driving test. Better late than never!

3. Our Health and Social Care Lecturer, Annie Butcher, and some of her colleagues have organised keep fit sessions in the Gloucester Dance Studio, which is a great way to encourage staff to improve their health and wellbeing.

4. Caroline Davies, our Schools Coordinator, will be celebrating her milestone 50th birthday on Thursday 26 March. A huge happy birthday to Caroline, whose colleagues in the NCS team say: “You’re still fabulous at 50! You’re a true legend and we’d be lost without you!”

5. Along with her sister-in-law and four-year-old niece Elsie, Michelle Cant, Head of Communications, held a Valentine’s Fundraiser to raise more than £1,500 for the Little Princess Trust on Sunday 1 February.

Amazing effort for a great cause!

6. Congratulations to Rebecca Wilson, our Teaching Improvement Manager, for being voted in as the new Staff Governor.

7. Happy belated birthday to our Sales Ledger Charlotte Powell, who celebrated her 21st birthday on Tuesday 24 February! www.gloscol.ac.uk